Tescos or the Mole Clinic

[sparkymummy]

I have been to my docs about my moles but not really happy still so am looking at paying for a check. The Mole Clinic are more expensive than Tescos, but do sound more thorough. Has anyone tried either (or both) and can give me any advice over which is better?

Sm - am interested in this - did not know Tesco's did?

I think its a new thing, the mole clinic ones are through Superdrug. Tescos have a nurse come into the pharmacy, £45 for full body check or £65 for 2 people from same family together I think

Erm, unless the nurse is a skin cancer specialist (which I doubt very much) you need to see a doctor. If you really want to pay then you should go and see a consultant dermatologist. I work on a dermatology day unit and I wouldn't ask even the most experienced colleague to check my moles, I would ask one of the doctors who is properly trained. If you really want to go with Tesco then ask them if the nurse uses a dermatoscope to check any suspicious lesions and when/where she had her dermatoscope training. If she doesn't use one then she can't give you a proper opinion.

Thanks Swaliswan, I think the Mole Clinic use one of those dermatoscopes. I have seen my doc but am not convinced they knew what they were talking about. I'm extra worried as my brother who is 2 years younger than me has just been diagnosed as having a malignant melanoma, I told the doc that and she did look at all my moles but said they were fine. How would I get a properly trained doc to look at it, or should I just have more faith in my doc?

I paid a private clinic to look at my moles (can't recall which, and only went because my grandfather died very young of a malignant melonoma, so I am pretty careful) and was not terribly impressed.

Yes they have one of those camera thingies and yes they take a close look, then they give you a letter which you take to your GP and your GP does the referral.

The plastic surgeon I saw thought it was rather funny the number of referrals he was getting for "slightly suspect" moles about which he would do nothing.

IMO it's sort of an exercise in bum covering. The clinic points out every single vague wierdness, and the GP then feels they have to refer or be accused of negligence. Having said that it will get you a referral if that's what you want.

I would say that it was good for my piece of mind. If super qualified plastics consultant is not bothered about my moles, neither am I.

An alternative for you would be to change GP to one who does minor surgery. Often they get money for whipping off moles and so are quite willing to do it. If you're not too bothered about having a bit of a scar that might be a good (free and quick) way to go instead.

i didnt know that Tescos checked moles either. IME GPs refer very quickly to skin lesion consultants because of the way melanomas develop. I also have a family history of skin cancer and see the consultant (NHS) every 4 months for checks where they photograph and check my moles (i do have about 60 of them!)

i agree with scaryhairy about changing GP to get a second opinion

How did you get your GP to take your worries seriosly, or did you have a dodgy mole, mine said there is no genetic link with skin cancer, and when I told her there is as I had looked on cancer research site she said we'll there is a small genetic factor!

I've looked into the people who run the clinic and would suggest that you don't use them. They aren't using a dermatoscope but somehting else that a nurse is then relying on to be right. There is no substitute for a pair of human eyes and years of experience. Ask your GP (or another one) for a referral to a dermatologist. They tend to give you a referral if you directly ask for one and then you have to be seen within two weeks if you have a suspicious pigmented lesion.

sparkymummy - there is a genetic link for malignant melanoma (i have been part of the research programme at glasgow uni as i'm 3rd generation with an abnormal mole pattern).

if that is what your GP believes, then you should change GP straight away.

(btw i havent had any moles that are malignant but have had 6 removed because they were "suspicious")

Thank you for all the advice. Swaliswan, is that both the Tesco and The Mole Clinic? I will try and see another doc this week and ask for a referral. Will a dermatologist be prepared to have a look at all my moles? I have loads! I just want it sorted out as all this stress is having a very negative impact on my state of mind, and really upsetting my little boy as hes picking up on the tension

Oh I am glad this has been posted - there was a piece about the Mole Clinic in the Mail the other day, about Meg Mathews, which made it sound OK.

I casually asked about mole-checking the last time I saw a GP (I have billions, moley family) and was told the NHS won't check them until after you've had a problem - is this true?

(I also asked about some nasty brown patches on my shins over presumably varicose veins underneath and again was told they're OK until they ulcerate . Was not my GP though, may go back and push a bit harder)

Well my mother has been told there is very definitely a genetic link. Her brother died from it 20 years ago, her mother has just died from it, her niece has been told that hers is terminal, and my mother had it three years ago, but is OK now (touch wood).

It may be genetic, but I don't think it helps that the majority of them (with the exception of my gran) are ginger, sun worshippers and don't use anything with a SPF higher than 4.

i went with itching strange shaped mole to gp.

was reffered asap to dermatologist - who then reffered me to have it reomoved but also checked all my other moles.

2 were removed within the month - both sent for tests but came back fine.

Mole clinic good. Nurse is skin cancer specialist and uses a dermascope. I think in your case worth it for peace of mind.

Well been back to different docs and have a referral, not sure whether she thought I needed to go or gave me the referral for my peace of mind and couldn't bring myself to ask!

That's good to hear, sparkymummy.

Wendyweber, it may depend on where you live as to when your NHS trust is willing to put in the time and money to checking all of your moles. However, it could just be that your GP isn't fully informed of the services available at your local dermatology unit. I know that there are doctors who are happy to check patients who have a lot of moles as the risk is higher given that you have more chances for a mole to become problematic. You could always ask if you can be referred for a mole map which is basically several extremely high quality photos taken by specially trained medical photographers of all of your skin. These are then kept on your medical records and can be referred to if you think that you may have changes happening. The other thing you can do is keep a check on your moles yourself.

I've rang through for my appt and can you believe, I can't actually make one yet because the waiting list is too long! I have to keep ringing until the waiting time in one of the 4 hospitals goes below 11 weeks then I can book! How ridiculous that there is a waiting list for the waiting list. I guess it enables them to perform to government statistics by saying there waiting list never goes beyond 11 weeks wait!!!

I'm not sure what to say to that! It makes me wonder why we continually bust a gut to keep to our waiting times when other hospitals have a watiting list for the waiting list. If you are really worried and don't want to wait then the mole clinic sounds far better than the Tesco one. Your local private hospital might be able to help. You could always ask your GP about your right to choose somewhere else to be referred to.

waiting list for a waiting list? FFS. That needs a complain surely?

I know, not sure who to complain to though, any ideas? I always seem to be contacting my local MP, prob got a name for myself already!

Start with your local PCT?

Done PCT and have also sent a copy to Alan Johnson as this just makes all these published waiting times into a total lie!